Sunday, February 1, 2009

Why aren't you fat?

I realized I haven't added any pithy food commentary since I began my blog. So here it goes.

People, family, friends, etc. often ask me why I'm not fat since I love food, am always around food, talk about food, or always seem to be eating food. Now allow me to explain. I eat food. Real food. And not "foodlike substances" to borrow the words from Michael Pollan. If you know Cheez-Its aren't good for you, then chances are the low-fat version isn't a miracle health food, allowing you to indulge at every whim. It's common sense, people. I'm not saying you're going to get fat on Cheez-Its--the low-fat version or the original. What I am saying is that it characterizes a mentality all too common in the Western diet:

You can eat whatever you want as long as it's labeled low-fat.

Wrong. I eat food. Tomatoes, freshly made bread without additives, preservatives, and high fructose corn syrup, real meat, fruits, vegetables, pasta, real butter (NOT margarine), cream, natural cheeses, etc. Are you following me here? Nowhere in there is HFCS, preservatives, aspartame, MSG, etc. Natural food doesn't need additives to improve its flavor. It's just, well, good. The flavor comes from the healthy soil it was grown in, the simplicity in its preparation.

My latest nemesis has been the yogurt aisle. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but finding a good yogurt is difficult. I don't want low-fat, reduced calorie yogurt. I want naturally sweetened-- no HFCS, no aspartame. They do exist; but they are few and far between. Stonyfield Farms organic yogurt is good, as well as Wegmans Probiotic Super Yogurt and Dannon's All Natural. Navigating seemingly 'healthy' aisles should not be this frustrating.

Thus the confusion of the Western diet.

4 comments:

Melissa said...

Your yogurt reminds me of trying to find French rolls in the grocery store without HFCS. Difficult. I now go to local bakeries.

Amen to eating real food!

Tiffany said...

Ha! It's nearly impossible to find bread without HFCS. I make my own now simply because of that. Speaking of, I need to post about that!

And I second your amen to eating REAL food!

Dewi said...

Same here Tiffany, I also exercise regularly. Have you tried to make your own yogurt? It's way better then any organic yogurt you find in the grocery store. I haven't tried myself. But, my sister's father in law always make it, and give me some.
Cheers,
Elra

Tiffany said...

I most definitely have not tried to make my own yogurt, although that sounds amazing! I can only imagine how much better it tastes. Lucky you that you have someone who can make some for you! Thanks for visiting!
Tiffany